Crimeline helps nab robbery suspect

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Posted Feb. 15, 2013 at 3:15 AM

Posted Feb. 15, 2013 at 3:15 AM

HAMPTON FALLS — A tip provided through Crimeline for the Hamptons, Inc., whose mission is to provide rewards for anonymous tips that lead to arrests, helped lead police to an arrest in the robbery and beating of a man in the parking lot of The Poker Room on Lafayette Road in Hampton Falls on Jan. 31.

“I think it’s great that the charity we’re helping by holding their fundraiser helped us catch the criminal who robbed one of our customers in our parking lot,” said Frank Valgenti of The Poker Room. “This was something we never want to see happen again. We’re glad the thug has been caught. ”

Crimeline for the Hamptons, Inc., had already scheduled its 10-day fundraiser at The Poker Room from March 22 until April 1, months before the incident occurred.

“We received a credible tip from a Hampton man who knew the person that committed the Hampton Falls robbery at The Poker Room,” said Hampton Police Sgt. Steve Champey. “This led to the suspect’s arrest in Hampton Falls,” Champey added.

The police provided a photo of a hat found on the scene, believed to belong to the suspect, which was posted on Crimeline for the Hamptons’ Facebook page, and shared with social media sites and in the conventional media, along with a description of the suspect and the vehicle he drove as he fled the scene. A man called with the tip after recognizing the hat and the descriptions.

Police arrested Bryan Lisio, who was arraigned on three felony charges. According to the police affidavit, Lisio threatened a 64-year-old Massachusetts man with a gun, beat him, choked him and robbed him of about $80.

“As soon as we heard what had happened at The Poker Room, we hoped we could help the police catch the criminal by doing what we always strive to do,” said Karin Breen, chair of Crimeline for the Hamptons, Inc. “We helped get the information about the suspect out to the public, and hoped that someone would call with a tip that could help him get caught.”

“We provide reward money to people who come forward with information that leads to an arrest or indictment. Some people don’t expect reward money when they come forward to the police, but we like to reward them for helping our community by making it safer for all of us,” Breen said.

“The Poker Room does such a wonderful job for charities and nonprofit organizations like ours, and we’re looking forward to holding our annual fundraiser there again this year. We’re glad we could help solve the crime,” added Breen.

Knowledge provided about any crime, anywhere, if presented to Crimeline for the Hamptons, Inc., may be eligible for a reward. Up to $1,000 is rewarded for tips that lead to an arrest or indictment, or help a criminal investigation. Tips can be left anonymously at 929-1222, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers are asked to create an identifying code by which they will be notified if a reward is available, while still maintaining anonymity.